Falling for the wrong twin never felt so good . . .From the NEW YORK TIMES, WALL STREET JOURNAL, & USA TODAY bestselling series Beards, brothers, and bikers! Oh my! Identical twins Beau and Duane Winston might share the same devastatingly handsome face, but where Beau is outgoing and sociable, Duane is broody and reserved. This is why perpetually level-headed Jessica James has been in naïve … level-headed Jessica James has been in naïve and unhealthy infatuation with Beau Winston for most of her life. Whereas Duane and Jessica have always been adversaries. She can’t stand him, and she’s pretty sure he can’t stand the sight of her…
But after a case of mistaken identity, Jessica finds herself in a massive confusion kerfuffle. Jessica James has spent her whole life paralyzed by the fantasy of Beau and her assumptions of Duane’s disdain; therefore she’s unprepared for the reality that is Duane’s insatiable interest, as well as his hot hands and hot mouth and hotter looks.
When Jessica finds herself drawn to the man who was always her adversary, how much of her level-head heart is she willing to risk?
Truth or Beard is book #1 in the Winston Brothers series. Each book is a standalone, full length (110k words), contemporary romantic comedy novel, and follows the romantic exploits and adventures of one of the six Winston Brothers.
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This series is amazing, I am totally addicted. I listened to Beard Science first and just had to start this series from the beginning, I fell in love with the Winston brothers.
Duane and Jessica’s story is childhood to adult love story. I swooned, laughed and enjoyed the ride through the ups and downs all the way to the hfn and I cannot wait to get more glimpses of Duane and Jessica in other stories as they prepare to take their relationship to another level.
There are 6 brothers and one sister in this series and each brother has his own unique character, Cletus in book 3, I discovered was a complex and lovable puzzle, Duane had the potential to be a hothead, he’s a risk-taker, an adrenaline junkie but also a man with few yet deep and meaningful words, I cannot wait to discover more of these Winston men and the woman who steel their hillbilly hearts.
Brilliantly narrated, I would definitely listen to more in this series via audio.
I love this book hard. It was so unexpected and emotional. I bawled my eyes out more than once and I laughed out loud many, many times. Pure entertainment. Thank you, Penny Reid, for the great read.
Penny Reid… Girl, you can write a fantastic story!
Reid threw me headfirst back into my neck of the woods – The Smoky Mountains in Tennessee. AND I FREAKING LOVED IT. (I loved that she included Cades Cove and her take on the speedway!) There was a million other nods to the south that she snuck in like phrases, places, and actions. It was so much fun to pick up on those.
Not only did she ace the setting of the story, she nailed the characters as well. Oh, how I adore the Winston family! It was so great to see them all again. Their interactions and antics will have you snorting and giggling. I loved it so much that I am literally forcing myself not to immediately pick up the next installment. Don’t judge me if I do; it is already clear that I can’t resist the Winston clan.
So, I bet you’re curious to see why I rated it 4 stars. Well, the two lovebirds made a mountain out of a molehill. Instead of communicating, they chose to ignore the situation and wait until they were forced to deal with it. They, at that point, are overly emotional and let their pent-up frustration boil over. I’m not sure why Jessica’s wanderlust bothered me like it did. Duane refused to acknowledge it when he was around her. Meanwhile, I was internally screaming for Jessica to tell him that she wasn’t going to leave him behind. She told us readers multiple times toward the end. To me, this conflict was avoidable. And because it was such a big part of the book, it was frustrating to see them struggle. BE THE HAPPY COUPLE YOU ARE MEANT TO BE. QUIT WITH THIS NONSENSE!
Otherwise, the story keeps you on your toes and is guaranteed to capture your attention from the first page. I highly recommend it!
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OMGoodness.
My heart.
I absolutely loved this, and then some!
I enjoyed every single second of Duane & Jessica’s story. The feels and the love and the passion. SIGH.
Their history, their banter, their playfulness when they were younger…the sparks were there, they were meant to be even back then. Jessica just didn’t know it yet.
Duane is sexy AF, so growly and beard-y (yes, that’s a word), and gentlemanly. He wants Jessica, and he wants her badly. He’s waited a long time for her.
The chemistry between these two is electric, it made my heart beat a little bit faster. The way he WHISPERS HER NAME. *fanning myself*
Penny Reid can write the phone book and I would read it. Her heroes are always the swooniest!!
I cannot wait to dive into the next book!!
I really enjoyed “Truth or Beard” by Penny Reid. This was the first book I’ve read by this author – I stumbled on it through an audio book promotion. By the second chapter I was a fan and by the 4th chapter I was cursing myself that I hadn’t read anything by this author. The characters are wonderfully written and the writing style and story lines are real life and suck you in, wanting more when you reach the last page. I’m excited that these are longer series and I’m looking forward to seeing where the overall story line takes us on this journey with the fun loving Winston brothers.
Great addition to your book collection.
Happy reading…enjoy!
“The truth is that girl is it for me.”
This was my second read of Truth or Beard (in anticipation of book #7, the final book of this series) and I loved it more this time around. I swoon whenever I think of Duane and his precious, patient heart and think this was an epic start to what is one of the BEST romance series and now romance worlds.
I LOVED the opening sequence of this frenemies to lovers story. Without giving away spoilers, I loved how Duane took advantage of a situation to finally make his move on Jessica and it was priceless. I felt as if I was there watching it unfold.
But onto the characters….
Duane Winston: Brooder, Planner, Curmudgeon, Straight Shooter, Suitor who’s old-fashioned, honorable, patient, selfless, caring and sweet.
Duane is a man who thrives on control and a plan. He’s been pining for YEARS, biding his time to make Jessica James HIS. Yet when his intentions are finally made known, he wants to be honorable and do things right- court her and get to know her again. Yet in getting to know her, he learns of her plans to leave Green Valley and travel the world and that puts a major crimp in his long-held plans for his happily ever after. His struggle: risk breaking his own heart and losing her forever when she leaves or risk her resenting him for sacrificing her dream if she stays?
Despite his struggle, I absolutely loved his certainty of his love for Jessica, his patience for this love and ultimately his willingness to sacrifice for his love.
Jessica James: Free Spirit, Dreamer, World Wander, Math Genius who’s independent and sassy.
Jessica returns to Green Valley after being away for years at college and is surprised by her attraction to Duane- the boy she’s known most of her life but who tormented her and argued with her as kids.
“I didn’t like that I wanted Duane Winston, but there it was. He’d done something to me, awoke some slumbering feminine feral creature, and now I was pathetic with thinking about him. And it wasn’t just wanting his kiss, his touch, his body, and maybe even a bit of his sassy back talk.”
Once she acknowledged her feelings, however, she is ALL in and practically wants to jump him every minute. Yet as she continues to fall for him, she also has to contend with her own fear: that loving him completely would mean she’d never leave Green Valley and lose her freedom and her dreams.
Jessica first comes off a little young at first but hey she is, but then we really see the mature side of her as the book progresses. I was impressed by her willingness to put her feelings on the line and not just accept Duane’s defeat. Plus, her word “vomiting” was just so tender sweet and what Duane needed to hear.
The themes Reid explores in this book were wonderful:
-Can you love someone enough to let them go?
-Love means being truly seen by another
-What does it mean when goals and dreams of two people don’t align? How can you make it work, if at all?
Cast of Characters:
Having read the other books in this series (except book 7 which has yet to come out), I can appreciate how great this book is at kicking off not only the Winston Brothers Series but what is now the entire Green Valley world under Smartypants Romance books.
Not only do we get a heartfelt frenemies to lovers story with Duane and Jessica, but we meet a whole cast of characters in Green Valley and learn more about the Iron Wraiths (which were just briefly introduced in Beauty and the Mustache).
If nothing else, you can’t help but fall and fall hard for Duane’s brother Cletus. Good lord, that man is just too much! And the dialogue and sexual innuendo talk about his famous sausage- PRICELESS! Reid’s writing is just too fantastic, I was laughing so hard.
I think it would have been a great addition to maybe get one or two brief flashbacks to show just how long Duane has pined for Jessica but I love how we get even more of these two in the other books in this series to see how they indeed make it work – together.
You’ll love this book if you’re a fan of:
-frenemies to lovers
-sexual innuendo talk about sausage
-good old-fashioned courting
-starting an epic romance series
My first of Penny Reid and I am totally hooked!!! I love her writing style! Excellent character and world building, witty, steamy, and relatable!! Love and drama blended beautifully!! I wish I could buy all her books!!!
I know I’m late to the party, but This is the first book that I have read from Penny Reid. I have to say that I absolutely loved this book! I haven’t laughed this much in a long time. This book just left me feeling so happy! Duane and Jessica are such a wonderful couple. Of course you can’t forget about the other Winston brothers. They would be a blast to hang out with! I do need to mention that the narrator’s on this were fabulous! Now, on to Grin and Beard It.
I listened to TRUTH OR BEARD on Audible
Narration: Chris Brinkley and Joy Nash 5 stars – the inflections and accents were fantastic
Storyline: 4 stars- there were a few parts that bothered me. Also, I suspect some of the characters have been developed in previous books because they seemed well established.
This is an enjoyable rom-com which is the introduction(?) to the Winston Brothers. There is a set of twins, a bada$$, an old quiet soul, a musician and a sister. TRUTH OR BEARD had great world building, the banter between all of the characters was fun to “read” and I will definitely be checking out the rest of the Winston Brothers in their stories. There is also a motor cycle club which I have ideas about and will check to see if their story has been written.
Overall this was an enjoyable listen and I would recommend it both in print and audio.
This hilarious romp filled with some fine lumbersexuals in the form of the Winston brothers (and sister) is a supremely delightful series. You will have your favorite brothers in the series (Hello, Cletus!), so begin here with amazing book #1. Oh yes it’s worth it, ladies! Get on and ride the red-headed bearded Tennessee man of love.
Penny Reid is brilliant! Truth or Beard–and the rest of the Winston Brothers Books– are my new guilty pleasure. I loved every page and was surprisingly sad when I came to the last page. I’m ready to devour the rest of the series and all things Penny Reid.
So Penny has once again written two characters that I have fallen head over heels for. Duane and Jess are definitely in the running for my favorite Penny couple so far! Their story had a bit of everything, with a delicious slow-burn relationship, incredibly smart banter, longing love, heartache and mystery! Truth or Beard was the best way to hook me on the Winston Brothers world and I am stoked for this ride. 5 stars for this awesome book!
https://sherrilhollister.com/2019/08/12/truth-or-beard-audio-book-review/
The Winston brothers are a rowdy bunch of puppies, and the ladies that win their hearts are going to have to be able to keep up with their crazy. Jessica, the sheriff’s daughter and local math teacher, was a really fun protagonist! After getting her identical twin crush confused for his ornery brother, it all spirals into chaos at the local Halloween party. Because ornery Duane has been carrying a torch for Jessica for a very long time. Lots of bumps and misunderstandings along the way in this one!
Now, I’ve read a few others in this series, so I seem to be going out of order. But man did this book just make me so happy. I listened to the audiobook and the narrators’ voices were perfect! The back story that we get for the characters is great. And then there are so many parts that just had me rolling with laughter. There was a whole bit where Cletus was talking about his sausage, and it totally reminded me of the episode of The Big Bang Theory where Sheldon kept asking about his wood. I decided I loved the way that Jessica described herself as being a “well-kissed goof”, and that I want more than anything to feel that way again some day. I think the male narrator on this is probably a new favorite of mine, and if he does more of the books, I need to listen to the ones I haven’t read yet. It was also fun listening to this on my trip to Branson, because I saw lots of bearded men that made me think of this.
Great romance from start to finish. Jessica was a bit of an odd-ball in her family with her dreams of leaving and exploring the world, whereas Duane was fully rooted in their small town. Their courtship definitely had obstacles, starting with the fact that Jessica had always had a crush on Duane’s twin brother, but none that seemed completely insurmountable. The chemistry between the two was perfect. The biker gang sideplot worked, sort of, even if it seemed out of tone with the light-hearted romance. And the side characters were lovely, especially Duane’s brother Cletus. I think I’ll skip straight to his book, even though it’s the third in the series. All in all, the book left me with the fluffy and happy feeling that the best romances do.
Fun books with quirky characters! Don’t miss this!
Cute original story would have been better without the graphic sex scenes though.
Another brilliant book by Penny Reid. Love her characters. They are full of life and are loved from beginning to end.
Very entertaining